News Article

By Ron Scalf
Erwin Bureau
rscalf@johnsoncitypress.com

ERWIN - You would have been hard pressed to find a dry eye here Sunday morning, as 42 members of the Tennessee Army National Guard left town on a journey that will ultimately lead to Iraq.

Hundreds lined Erwin's Main Street for the send off as another estimated 400 showed up early at the Erwin National Guard Armory for the tearful send off. Perhaps Rhonda Bradley, wife of Sgt. Bill Bradley summed it up best by saying, "Today is very hard. But they have a job to do and we'll stand by them, pray everyday for them." The Bradleys' two children "are handling it pretty well," she said.

Company Commander Capt. Dan Smith said, "The last few months have been pretty hectic. Everyone has been working hard to prepare for life for the next year and a half of their lives. We've had babies born the last few months and one this week, and there have been several weddings. This is something we may not want to do but we've got to do."

"And, we know it's the right thing to do. It is an honor to be able to help people who are too weak to help themselves. I want everyone to know that our number one mission is to bring everyone standing in front of you here back to you," he said, pointing to the 42 men gathered in formation during the brief 7 a.m. ceremony.

"We've got to do what we have to do to protect our country, it's a great place to live," said Guardsman Clarence Hyder, as he got hugs from his mother, wife and other relatives before passing through the doors of the armory to get on one of the vehicles heading out of town. "I'll be back."

Erwin Mayor Russell Brackins presented Smith with two checks - $1,000 from the town of Erwin and $500 from the Unicoi County United Way. The money will go to a family support group fund recently set up to assist members of the Guard who remain in town.

Talking with Unicoi County Mayor Larry Rose, retired Sgt. Maj. Sammy Sproles, who takes over the day-to-day operations of the Erwin National Guard Armory today, said, "I'll be working with the family support group as an employee of the U.S. Army Department of Defense while Sgt. Maj. Jim Nelson will take over the facility duties," he said.

"This is a new situation. I'll be the go between for the families and soldiers and look after their needs. It is very important we do this, as it affects the morale of the soldiers."

Sproles said the Army had set up e-mail accounts for all the men "and they'll be able to communicate with their families by e-mail even when they're in Iraq," he said. "Anyone wishing to donate to the support group can call 743-8889 or come by the Armory."

Company H of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment's 2nd Squadron will stop in Birmingham tonight and arrive at Camp Shelby, Miss., Tuesday. They will spend three months there and another month at Fort Irwin, Calif., before heading to Iraq.

"We're just saying goodbye for a while," Capt. Smith said in closing remarks. "Today, everyone's a hero."

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